Joseph DeMattos, president of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland, made the announcement Thursday in Annapolis with Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, and state lawmakers who are veterans.

DeMattos says several major nursing and rehabilitation providers in Maryland as well as smaller independent providers are pledging to hire as many qualified returning veterans as possible in open positions. He says they have a great need for veterans’ skills.

Maryland’s long-term rehabilitative care community employs more than 36,000 people statewide. They serve nearly 25,000 people in the state’s 234 skilled nursing facilities.

Jobs would range from direct care nursing to billing and supply management to maintenance and security positions.